Lawmakers Propose Withholding Salaries from Lawmakers If Government Defaults | WKRG

WASHINGTON, DC (NEXSTAR) — A new bipartisan bill would block payments to lawmakers if the U.S. government defaults or shuts down. The indictment is being led by two lawmakers with the aim of urging their colleagues to prevent these consequences.

As the threat of default looms over the economy, Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Rep. submitted a bill to withhold the

“If you can’t protect the U.S. government and the U.S. government from default, frankly, no member of Congress should be paid until that situation is rectified,” Mr. Spanberger said.

Right now, President Joe Biden and the Republican Party are locked in a standoff. Democrats have asked Congress to raise the debt ceiling, but Republicans have refused to do so without spending cuts.

Negotiators held meetings for a week to try to reach an agreement, but suddenly decided to call off talks on Friday. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said it was because the two sides hadn’t found enough common ground.

“We need to get a move from the White House, but no move yet. So yeah, we have to pause,” McCarthy said.

Rep. Spanberger said passing a bill to block paychecks would give lawmakers more responsibility and personal urgency.

“Inaction has serious implications for our economy, communities and national security, and the point of this law is to avoid that inaction,” Spanberger said.

She says the last minute mess is unforgivable. She hopes they can reach an agreement, but if not, she thinks it will be easy to suspend payroll until the matter is resolved.

“It has to be personal, it has to be inspiring to every member of Congress. If we default, it will be a big blow to the American people. Government shut down.” It hurts every time they do it,” Spanberger said. “It has to be something that we feel absolutely right with our voters.”